Dental guard



Aug. 30, 1932. c, MULLER 1,875,108

DENTAL GUARD Filed Sept. 22, 1931 /Nl/E/Y7 O/?.

ALFRED C. MULLER.

Patented Aug. 34.), 1932 3 PAT- nr area ALFRED c. MULLER, or onrco, CALIFORNIA DENTAL GUARD Application filed September 22,1931, Serial No. 564,274.

My invention relates to improvements in dental guardswherein an arcuate flexible member covers and embraces the gums adjacent the teeth to prevent contact of the bristles of a toothbrush with the adjacent gums while the teeth are being brushed, and also to serve as asupport and guide for the reciprocatory motion of the brush.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved dental guard for preventing contact of the bristles of a tooth-brush with the adjacent gums, while the teeth are being brushed.

Another object is to provide a new and improved device of thecharacter described which is arranged to resiliently embrace the gums in order to efficiently cover and protect the same from contact with a toothbrush.

A further object is to provide a new and improved device of the type set forth, which is simple and economical in construction and operation, which may be easily operated, produced at a low cost, and also provide a maximum eificiency.

A still further object is to provide a new and improved dental guard which will fit comfortably between the gums and the adj acent lips.

I accomplish these and other objects by means of the improved device disclosed in the drawing forming a part of the present application wherein like characters of reference are used to designate similar parts throughout the specification and drawing, and in which Fig. 1 is a plan View of my improved devlce- Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, disclosing the cross sectional area or shape of the guard; and

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but disclosing the application and operation of the device.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1 is used to designate a flexible arcuate member, made-preferably of rubber or any other suitable material.

The diameter of the arc of the member 1 is preferably of smaller diameter than the diameter of the arc of the teeth belng brushed, said tooth-arc diameter being designated in dotted lines in Fig. l of the drawing, in order that the guard or member 1 may be slightly expanded when applied to thelarger arc of the teeth, and thereby be caused to embrace and, therefore, effectually cover the gums 2 adjacent the teeth 3 of an operator, when the device is in use, as hereinafter more specifically set forth.

-Arranged approximately centrally of the periphery of the member 1 I have provided a dovetailed tenon 4, which tenon 4 is alsopreferably tapered downwardly to limit the movement thereof within converging clamping orengaging members 6 formed integral with a suitable detachable handle 7, by means of which handle the device may be efl'ectively held in operative position within the mouth.

The guard or member 1 is also preferably triangular in cross section, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 8 of the drawing, in order that the'said member 1 may be positioned between the gums 2 and outer lip 8 of an operator without unduly distending said lip 8, thereby preventing discomfort to the wearer.

- In operation, the member 1 is placed, conveniently by means of the handle 7 between the gums 2 and outer lip 8 with the apex of the triangular section downwardly, or in the bottom of the recess formed between the said gums 2 and lip 8, as disclosed in Fig. 3 of the drawing. As the flexible arcuate member 1 is placed in position the arcuate form thereof, having a smaller diameter than the di ameter of the curvature of the teeth 3 being brushed, isslightly expanded, and the reaction to such expansion readily causes the said arcuate flexible member 1 to snugly cover and embrace the gums 2 adjacent the teeth 3.

When the guard is thus placed in position the gums 2 are effectively embraced and covered and the bristles 9 of the tooth-brush 10, designated in Fig. 3 of the drawing, are now placed upon the upper edge of the guard or member 1 and the teeth are brushed with the usual reciprocatory movement, the guard member 1 meanwhile effectively embracing and covering the gums 2 and thereby preventing contact of the bristles 9 with said gums 2. The upper surface'ofthelrnember 1 also serves as a guide for the tooth-brush 10 and its movement whereby the brushing of the teeth may be facilitated. a V v While I'have shown the member 1 to be triangular in cross section, I do not find that such a section is absolutely necessary, and. itshould beparticularly noted-that I do; not confine my inventionto this'r estri'ction, but I find it more conformable to therecess between the gums and the lip, and therefore more comfortable tothe-operatori; 7

Having thus described my invention what -Ijclairn as new and desire to secure vbysIietters Patent iserv 1 Lil dental guard comprising a flexible AaI'CULELlZB member, triangular in cross section, :arranged to cover and embrace the gums. adjacent the teeth toprevent contact; of the bristlesof a tooth-brush with said gums while Y said'teethare being brushed,.the apex ofsaid triangular cross section-resting in the bot ofisaid gums and an adjacent lip to prevent discomfort. 1 j r 7 2. A dental guard comprising a flexible arcuate member, triangular in crosssection,v jarranged to cover; andxembrace the gums I adj agent" the: teeth. to prevent, contact; of; the

' bristles of atooth-brush with saidgumswhile v saijdteeth are being brushed, the apexiof said, r triangular-crosssection resting in the bottom; 355 of therecess betweenthe lower portion 'ofisa-id' v f I gums and anadj acentlip, to prevent discom- V fortyand means for holding said guardin. operative position-.' 7'

. r 3; A dental guard 'cornprisinga; flexible arcuate member, triangular; in cross-section, arranged to cover and, embracetlla. gems; 1 adj acent the teeth, to prevent contactef, the; bristles of a tooth-brush with said? gums while said teeth are being brushed, the. apex of said vtriangular cross; section;- resting in; the. bottom ofthe recess between the'lofwer; portionof saidgums andan adjacent lip, to; prevent discomfort; anda handl'e'detachably; I connected to-said-guard to hold thesame'in; 50; operative position.- Y o I V fIn'witness whereof, I hereunto, setemy sig nature, j

in ALFBEDTOLMULLERQ V I v I 11,875,108

tom of the recess between the lower portion '1 

